Life went back to normal on Tuesday. Get up. Drop Mari to school. Work. Home.

Just a normal May 21st.

The tour starts back up in two days in Dublin. I found myself wondering during the day what the boys were up to. More specifically, what Harry was up to. I know, I know. Pathetic.

Lily tried to convince me to text him first. Of course that's not happening. She acts like she doesn't know me at all!

After dinner that night, there was a knock on the front door.

Weird. Who could be at the door at this time?

I couldn't stop myself from thinking that maybe it was a serial killer or even worse a ghost.

Another few knocks sounded on the door again, a bit more impatiently. I slowly tip toed to the door, picking up the umbrella leant near the entrance.

I stealthily poked an eye into the peep hole to see who was at the door.

Once I saw the figure on the other side, I let out a breath, rolled my eyes and unlocked the door.

"Aren't my working hours 9 to 5?"I asked as soon as he stepped through the door.

"A bit farfetched, don't you think?" I asked, noticing the umbrella in my hand.

I put it back in it's original position then looked back at my intruder with my arms folded.

"What are you doing here, Simon?" I asked tiredly fighting back a yawn.

"Well aren't you going to offer me some tea? Something to at least quench my parched throat?" I internally rolled my eyes at his words. I don't have the strength nor energy to deal with this tonight.

"Oh I'm sorry I haven't fully grasped the English life yet," I said sarcastically.

A small smile crosses his lips as he says,"Just like your mother."

I feel a sickening feeling in the pit of my stomach at the mention of her.

An awkward silence settles in the air as we stand in the middle of the entry way. I start to feel uncomfortable so I clear my throat to fill it.

"So um, to what do I owe the pleasure of this visit from the great Simon Cowell," I said, trying to change the topic. Key word: trying.

"She misses you"

"Excuse me" I say completely stunned. He can't be serious.

"You could try to at least reach out, love. Who knows, maybe it'll be a good thing," he shrugs and walks forward into the flat.

Why must I be the first to reach out. Hardly seems fair.

I follow behind him firing questions that he can't answer because I already know them,"Does she know that I'm here? Does she visit or even call her own granddaughter? Does she even care? Or is she just waiting for me to drop dead too before she does?"

His face falls flat at the last question.

"Why must I make the effort when she won't even lift a finger? She clearly hasn't told you everything yet so I don't get what gives you the right to tell me what I should and shouldn't do. Last time I checked, my father left us when he couldn't handle everything and chose to make himself happy instead," I finish angrily.

I instantly regret my last words as soon as they leave my mouth.

He wears a hurt expression but tries to mask it by looking at me sympathetically, saying,"I'm sorry. I overstepped. But Mia I'm just trying to help you-" I cut him off,

"I don't want your help Simon! I've been trying to tell you since the first day you turned up at my doorstep!" I realised that I might've been a bit loud considering Mari just fell asleep so I lower my voice and continue,

"Now what is it that you came for? Certainly it wasn't to convince to contact my mother because if that's the case then...." my voice drifts off as I gesture to the front door with my head.

Simon makes himself comfortable on the couch and quickly composes himself.

He clears his throat then says monotonously,"I have another job for you."

I raise an eyebrow at him, ignoring his tone and ask suspiciously,"And it couldn't wait until tomorrow?"

"Well no," he clears his throat,"because you leave in two days."

I feel my eyes bug out at his words.

"Excuse me?"

"Your job. You leave in two days," he says matter of factly.

"This is in such short notice. I can't do it. Get someone else."

'You leave in two days' like what the hell is that supposed to mean? And for how long? Who am I gonna get to keep Mari for me?

"You may not think of me as part of your family and that's fine. But I'm still your boss and I say you have a job to do," he says sternly with a stoic face.

Yup. I hurt his feelings....

I sighed and said,"I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings Simon, I really am but I can't take the job. Find someone else."

He narrows his eyes at me and says,"Are you forgetting that I can-" I cut him off again shrugging,

"Fire me? Go on right ahead. Like I said, I don't need your help. But you're too stubborn to let me go."

Simon doesn't know about my job on the weekends. He doesn't know that I'm a choreographer for a dance class on Saturdays and I'd like to keep it that way.

And to be honest, the money that I make on Saturdays is greater than my cheque at the end of the month from Simon. After all, I'm just a secretary.

It's why I didn't have a problem wanting to quit that day in his office some weeks ago.

He looks taken a back by my indifference. He seems to be at a loss for words so he stubbornly says,

"Well you work for me and what I say goes."

I sigh resignedly and give in. It's getting late and I'm tired but I have assignment to finish. The sooner I can get him to leave the sooner I can finish it.

"How long?"

He watches me surprised and says,"The rest of the tour."

What?

I look at him confused and ask,"Come again?"

"The rest of the tour," he says simply and nods his head to himself for confirmation.

"Whose tour?" I ask yet I think I know the answer.

"One Direction's of course," he says as though it's something you hear everyday.

"For what?" I whine lacing my fingers through my hair.

"Uhm well, a number of reasons actually."

I raise an eyebrow at him to elaborate.

"Well for one Debra was supposed to go to represent me. You know, ensure everything runs smoothly."

"Isn't there people for that? Like, gee I don't know, the crew!" I exclaimed.

"But I need someone to represent me on the tour," I internally roll my eyes," and besides you can keep them out of trouble whilst you're there. I've heard you've made quite the impact on them,"he says smiling widely.

I shake my head fighting the urge to smile. Maybe I should ask them why they were so afraid of me. Will they tell me?

"So...you need me to be a babysitter again," I clarified.

He scoffs,"Well now you just make them sound like children."

I look at him in disbelief.

"And that's not all you're there for. That's just a bonus for me." of fucking course.

"Lou is going to be away for a few weeks. Lux is sick so she took some time off to take care of her. Which leads to my next solution....you!"

"You want me to do hair and makeup?" I ask, not really getting where he's going with this.

"I thought it would've been a given, considering you have some experience."

Now I'm really confused.

"Mia, you worked part time at a hair salon for three years," he deadpanned.

Oooh right.

"So you're telling me that you couldn't get anyone else to do this?" I ask suspiciously.

"On such short notice? Except you? Nope," he says shrugging.

"Am I to do this by myself," I inquired. Five boys. Both hair and makeup. By myself.

"Doesn't she have an assistant?"

"No, I'm afraid not," he explained.

Well she should...

"So...."

"I'm sure you'll figure something out."

"I still can't go on the tour Simon."

"Why not?" he asked sounding annoyed.

"Why?!" I look at him bewildered,"You still didn't tell me for how long."

A buzz sounds from his pocket so he takes his phone out of his pocket and checks it.

"Till October," he says with his eyes still focused on the screen of his phone.

I feel my eyebrows shoot up and my eyes widen. That's like....6 months!!

"The exact reason why I can't do it. Are you forgetting that Mari has school. I can't ask anybody to keep her that long and she can't not go to school for six months either."

He shrugged,"Set her up the online classes."

My face drops.

"How did you know-"

"I did some research on the school."

Truth is, I didn't put her on the online classes because:

1. She needs constant supervision and Simon has me working eight hours a day. I also can't keep her in the office with me either because it's not like I have a private office or cubicle, I interact with his clients and others on a day to day basis.

And 2. I wanted her to be able to make friends. Have a social life. But she can't do that from behind a computer screen. Well...she can, I'm just very sceptical about it.

"You had this all planned out didn't you?" and he responds with a smug expression.

"I don't know Simon.... I can't exactly get all of them ready for shows by myself. It'll be too much."

"Don't doubt yourself Mi-" he doesn't get to finish as there's a loud banging on the front door.

Simon mirrors my confused expression.

"HELLOOOO! I'M HOME!" I bolted off the couch and headed for the door as soon as I recognized the familiar voice.

I open the door and my jaw nearly hits the floor.

She stands on the other side of the door with a wide smile on her face and a giant suitcase behind her.

"Surprise bitch"

I jump when I hear Simon perk up behind me,

"Well you seemed to have found your solution. Pleasure to see you again Liliana." he nods at her in acknowledgment.

He then turns to me and says, "I trust that you'll let me know when you get to Dublin, yeah?"

I don't get to reply before he exits the flat.

"Dublin? When were you going to tell me?"